Welcome.. I used my .30-06 for the first 10 years of my hunting career.. Killed much game with it, and still use it once in a while.. When I switched to the .300, I never looked back.. But I hunt a lot of very open country, and am able to shoot my .300 with out a problem.. My old one is on its third barrel..
If you are not going to shoot past 300 yards the 06 is fine.. But I filled several elk tags, when my 06 shooting buddies said that is way too far.. It was for the 06.. Probably the best trophy of my life was a bighorn ram.. I may have got it with the 06, but it was a sure thing with the .300..
But you have to be able to shoot the rifle to get in the practice you need.. I would suggest shooting one or a couple and see how it goes.. My pal wanted a .300 and couldn't decide between it and a 7mm mag. I let him shoot both, when he fired the 7 ok, when he fired the 300, he remarked,"Substantial difference!!!" He bought a 7..
